Advanced Manufacturing Research
Advanced manufacturing research includes the investigation of new production methods for advanced products, studying process parameters of new processes, and understanding the interaction of processes in advanced manufacturing systems. Current IMSE efforts in this area include rapid manufacturing systems, advanced metrology and inspection, control and automation systems, and industrial energy efficiency.
Developing new automated systems for manufacturing operations
By integrating geometric modeling with process control principles, we are developing new automated systems for manufacturing operations. Examples include an automated metal part grinding system, a 4-axis automated welding machine and a rapid manufacturing system for metal casting patterns.
Investigating new methods for measuring and monitoring systems
We are researching advanced imaging systems for efficiency studies and monitoring temperature profiles for heat treatment of metal castings. Our researchers have developed cutting-edge tools that have improved real industry processes, like an inspection mapping software package that can efficiently track defects in manufactured parts using a 3D CAD model.
Facilities that foster innovation
Rapid Manufacturing and Prototyping Lab
In the Rapid Manufacturing and Prototyping Lab, we are developing new methods for rapid prototyping and more importantly, rapid manufacturing, which is an integrated system including automatic generation of process plans and an automated fabrication process. The end result is a functional custom component (not just a model) without the pre-process engineering time and skill normally required in manufacturing.
Flexible Electronics and Additive Printing Lab
In the Flexible Electronics and Additive Printing Laboratory (FEAP) laboratory, we focus on micro/nano scale manufacturing process control and optimization. The main techniques are electrohydrodynamic inkjet printing and excimer laser ablation. The ultimate goal is to develop a hybrid manufacturing system for micro/nano scale rapid prototyping of electronic components.
Faculty Expertise
John B. Slater Professor of Sustainable Design & Manufacturing, Professor
Research interests: CAD/CAM; additive manufacturing; design for manufacturing
Rapid manufacturing projects: automated machining; rapid pattern tooling; hybrid manufacturing; additive metal post processing
Assistant Professor
Research interests: additive manufacturing; in-situ monitoring and control; material-process development; repair and remanufacturing; additive toolpath generation; lattice and topology optimization
3D printing of dissimilar materials: aerospace materials (Inconel, Co-Cr); agricultural and transportation (cast iron, stainless steel)
Associate Professor
Form estimation models: hierarchical bayesian analysis; Shannon sampling models; Lp norm models
Optical inspection of surfaces: image processing methods; segmentation techniques; feature characterizations metrics
Associate Professor
Research interests: thermomechanical processing of alloys; heat treating; welding; casting of metals and alloys; computation-guided alloy design and manufacturing
Processing microstructure properties of materials: materials characterization; mechanical behavior of lightweight alloys; deformation twinning; phase transformation
Associate Professor
Laser-assisted advanced manufacturing: laser-based metal 3D printing; laser shock processing; modeling of laser-matter interaction
Micro/nanoscale manufacturing of functional materials: supercapacitor and battery; soft devices and robotics
Advanced processing of engineering materials: improved durability: fatigue, tribology, corrosion resistance; surface engineering; multi-scale computational modeling: process-microstructure-property
C. G. “Turk” and Joyce A. Therkildsen Professor, Associate Professor
Manufacturing system improvement: digital characterization of casting surfaces; automation solutions for short run products; geometry variability in manufacturing; reducing measurement error in NDE processes
Product design and realization: rapid tooling production; design for manufacturability analysis
Distinguished Teaching Professor
Engineering education research: lean manufacturing and continuous improvement education; engineering education assessment; engineering communication
Teaching: first-year engineering problem solving and professional skills; programming; process and system improvement
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